India ink, or Indian ink or Chinese ink, is one of the most common inks used today in calligraphy, drawing and home or prison tattooing. It is simple to make and simple to use. It is most often used when doing brush work or drawing comic strips. India ink is one of the most preferred inks to use because it is permanent and simple to make from ingredients you can find at home.

  • India ink, or Indian ink or Chinese ink, is one of the most common inks used today in calligraphy, drawing and home or prison tattooing.
  • India ink is one of the most preferred inks to use because it is permanent and simple to make from ingredients you can find at home.
Regular BBQ ash is fine to use as long as there's no lighter fluid on it.

Place the charcoal ash in the small bowl. Make sure that the bowl you choose is one that you don't mind having stained.

Add your water carefully so you don't make a mess.

Pour your distilled water into the bowl with the ash. Don't add it too fast or it will slosh onto your work surface. It will look soupy and some of the ash will begin to float.

A hard-bristled brush helps dissolve the charcoal chunks.

Stir the ash and water with the hard bristled brush. The mixture will start to look inky, which is what you want. Stir until all the clumps are gone and it is a nice smooth texture.

Vinegar stabilises the ink.

Add the drop of vinegar. This is only to create stability in the ink once it has dried. Mix thoroughly into the water and ash solution so that it is thoroughly incorporated. Your ink is now ready to use.

  • Stir the ash and water with the hard bristled brush.
  • This is only to create stability in the ink once it has dried.
A tight-fitting lid prevent dry-out.

Place your ink in a Mason jar. The tighter the lid on the mason jar the better. If you can, find one of these jars that is ceramic instead of glass.

TIP

If your ink starts to clump, add a drop of water and mix it around. This will loosen up the mixture and make it more usable. Using a dark jar or container to keep your ink in will make it last longer. Keep a napkin or something to clean up any spills or messes because this ink will stain. Shake the bottle before every use to ensure your ink is mixed.

WARNING

Keep away from sunlight and heat. It will make your ink evaporate quickly. If your ink has separated don't use it. Shake it first to reconstitute; if this doesn't work, add a drop of water. If that doesn't work, make a fresh batch.